Miracle of the twin sisters who beat meningitis THREE times

It was traumatic enough for Paul and Sarah Tomlinson when one of their twin daughters contracted meningitis at 14 months.

Then, seven months later, the other twin got it too.

Thankfully both girls, Helen and Georgia, pulled through.

The identical twins both showed fighting spirit after Helen (l) beat meningitis once and Georgia beat the condition twice

But even then the family's ordeal was not complete as Georgia had to fight off the disease again just before her fourth birthday. The odds against twins separately developing meningitis are said to be millions to one.

'I can't believe that my twins have managed to beat meninigitis three times between them,' said Mrs Tomlinson, 36, at the family home in Leeds.

'I thought we were unlucky when Helen got it the first time, and then for Georgia to get it twice too was just staggering.'

The couple, both mental health nurses, have another daughter, Carly, eight. It was in November 2003 that Helen contracted the deadly brain infection pneumococcal meningitis.

Mrs Tomlinson said: 'Helen was listless and just kept being sick all afternoon, but we just thought it was a stomach bug. But there was one unusual thing. The soft patch that a newborn baby has on the top of the head hadn't closed yet, and it was bulging.

'We now know that fluid building up in Helen's brain was causing the patch to bulge outwards.

'I was so worried about the bulge that we drove her to Leeds General Infirmary later that evening. Looking back, the bulge saved her life. All the doctors could tell me was the next 48 hours were going to be crucial.

'They pumped her full of antibiotics, and all we could do was wait and pray by Helen's bedside.'

After two days the couple were told their daughter had turned a corner and would recover, although it was not known if she had suffered any permanent damage such as deafness and learning difficulties.

Mrs Tomlinson said: 'Helen came home from hospital after a week and for the next few months we watched her like a hawk.

'Luckily her hearing didn't seem to be affected, and she seemed to be clear from brain damage.'

In June 2004, it was Georgia's turn. Mrs Tomlinson said: 'It just seemed like a nightmare. The doctors had never seen twins get meninigitis like this before.

'They couldn't believe it, but they just got to work on saving Georgia.'

After Georgia's recovery, both twins were vaccinated and placed on antibiotics. This helped Georgia fight off the disease when she developed it again.

Since then the antibiotic dose has been doubled in the hope that they will never have meningitis again. They are now nearly six and their mother added: 'They are never still now and are full of life. We feel very lucky that they were both strong enough to have survived.'

A spokesman for the Meninigitis Trust said: 'This is extremely rare.'

About 3,000 cases of meningitis are reported each year in the UK. It can kill within hours and can affect anyone at any time. Those most at risk are children under the age of five, teenagers and young adults, and over-55s.

For more information visit the website www.meningitis-trust.org or ring 0800 028 1828.